by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Folklore Studies covers Folklore Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of Creativity And Aesthetic Expression In Everyday Life, As Expressed In Narrative, Literature, Performing Arts, Culture, Work, Family And Community. Examples: [Folklore Studies], [Folklore And Mythology], [Folklore And Folklife]. Continue reading for the important information every folklore studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering folklore studies programs.
Nationwide, folklore studies is a popular field of study, with 64 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Folklore Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for folklore studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of folklore studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Folklore Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations folklore studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a folklore studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a folklore studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several folklore studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 41 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to folklore studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in folklore studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in folklore studies prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to folklore studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to folklore studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of folklore studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,619 |
| 4 years | $46,128 |
| 5 years | $53,144 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for folklore studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers folklore studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 9 different folklore studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased folklore studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering folklore studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
